Poinsettia plant named Dynasty (H518)

ABSTRACT

A poinsettia plant named Dynasty (H518) particularly characterized by the combined characteristics of dark red and numerous bracts which form a tight, symmetrical bloom; medium to dark green leaves; dark red and shiny petioles; relatively large bract size, and excellent keeping qualities.

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar ofpoinsettia plant known by the cultivar name Dynasty (H518), andbotanically known as Euphorbia pulcherrima.

Dynasty (H518) is a product of a planned breeding program which had theobjective of creating new poinsettia cultivars with less heatrequirement, better breaking, darker red bract color, better keeping,fade resistance, faster rooting, and dark red stems and petioles. Suchtraits in combination were not present in previously availablecommercial cultivars.

Dynasty (H518) was originated from a hybridization made in a controlledbreeding program by the inventor at Sugarun, Pa. in 1981. The femaleparent was HL-1, described in applicant's U.S. Plant Pat. No. 4,434. Themale parent of Dynasty (H518) was the commercial cultivar V-14,described in U.S. Plant Pat. No. 4,384. Dynasty (H518) was discoveredand selected as one flowering plant within the progeny of the statedparentage by applicant Alexander Hrebeniuk in December of 1982 in acontrolled environment in Sugarun, Pa.

The first act of asexual reproduction of Dynasty (H518) was accomplishedwhen vegetative cuttings were taken by applicant from the selectedprogeny in April of 1983 in a controlled environment in Sugarun, Pa.Horticultural examination of selected units initiated in December of1983 has demonstrated that the combination of characteristics as hereindisclosed for Dynasty (H518) are firmly fixed and are retained throughsuccessive generations of asexual reproduction.

Dynasty (H518) has not been observed under all possible environmentalconditions. The phenotype may vary significantly with variations inenvironment such as temperature, light intensity, and day length. Thefollowing observations, measurements and comparisons describe plantsgrown in Sugarun, Pa. and Parkerford, Pa. under greenhouse conditionswhich approximate those generally used in commercial practice.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe basic characteristics of Dynasty (H518) which in combinationdistinguish this poinsettia as a new and distinct cultivar:

1. Nine week response under black cloth.

2. Four to five breaks after pinch.

3. May be grown single stem or pinched.

4. Top leaves are very dark greenish-blue in color.

5. Mature leaves are medium to dark green.

6. Petioles are very dark red and shiny.

7. Veins in leaves are silver-red on top and bottom.

8. Stems are greenish-red, with the red color becoming darker and morepredominant when the plants are grown at low temperatures.

9. Bracts are a very dark red and very fade resistant both in thegreenhouse and the home.

10. The centers of the bloom are very tight; cyathia stay on up to fourweeks.

11. Red bracts continue to develop even after the cyathia have dropped.

12. Bloom when fresh (ready for shipping) is double and has three rowsof bracts.

13. Up to twenty-three (23) bracts have been counted on a fullydeveloped bloom.

14. The largest bloom size measured on a single stem plant has been 18inches in diameter.

15. Bracts range in size from 3 cm. wide and 4 cm. long to 12 cm. wideand 18.5 cm. long.

16. In normal blooming, the new cultivar shows color by November 15thand the bracts are fully developed by December 10th.

17. Responds well to the growth regulator Cycocel.

18. Plants ship well and will keep up to ten weeks in the home.

The accompanying photographic drawing shows typical inflorescence andfoliage characteristics of Dynasty (H518), with colors being as nearlytrue as possible with illustrations of this type. The single sheet ofdrawing comprises a black and white photograph with three bracts and asingle leaf being in color to accurately depict true color.

In the following description color references are made to The RoyalHorticultural Society Colour Chart. The color values were determined atapproximately 12:00 noon on Feb. 5, 1986 under natural day light atSugarun, Pa.

Classification:

Botanical.--Euphorbia pulcherrima.

Commercial.--Poinsettia.

Parentage:

Male parent.--V-14.

Female parent.--HL-1.

Plant description:

(A) Form.--Double.

(B) Growth habit.--Upright and compact; taller than V-14, shorter thanEckespoint (Registered Trademark) C-1.

(C) Rooting.--Very fast with few problems.

(D) Blooming season.--November 15th-December 10th.

(E) Blooming habit.--Large bracts in treble rows.

Foliage:

(A) Size.--4-5 cm. wide and 7 cm. long to 10 cm. wide and 14 cm. long.

(B) Quantity.--Up to ten (10) leaves per stem depending on culture.

(C) Color.--New foliage: Upper side, 139A; under side 139B. Old foliage:Upper side, 139A; under side 139B. Leaf petiole: 53A.

(D) Shape.--Shape varies from oval to generally heart-shaped to heavilylobed and generally oak shaped; in all forms, tip is acuminate.

(E) Texture.--Upper side, velvety between veins; under side, roughbecause of veins.

(F) Edge of margin.--Wavy.

(G) Aspect.--Varies from nearly horizontal to upwardly and downwardlyinclined.

(H) Veins.--Midrib to margin.

(I) Disease resistance.--Very resistant to Botrytis.

Flowers (Cyathia):

(A) Borne.--Single, very compact inflorescence.

(B) Quantity.--No more than ten; each one has a nectary.

(C) Color.--Varies widely depending on stage of development; generallyorange to orange-red when mature.

Bracts:

(A) Size.--3 cm. wide and 4 cm. long when immature up to 12 cm. wide and18.5 cm. long when fully grown.

(B) Veins.--Midrib to margin.

(C) Quantity.--Numerous, producing a tight, symmetrical bloom; up to 23bracts have been counted on a fully developed bloom; bracts continue todevelop after cyathia have dropped.

(D) Color.--Top: 53B. Bottom: 53C.

(E) Resistance to fade.--Excellent, keeping up to ten (10) weeks in thehome.

Reproductive Organs: Typical for poinsettia cultivars.

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of poinsettia plant namedDynasty (H518), as illustrated and described, and particularlycharacterized by its dark red and numerous bracts which form a tight,symmetrical bloom; medium to dark green leaves; dark red and shinypetioles; relatively large bract size, and by its excellent keepingqualities.